Election Result

New Margin: ALP 6.8%

MP

Chris Hayes (ALP) has been the member for Werriwa since the 2005 by-election that followed the resignation of former Labor Leader Mark Latham. Hayes will be contesting Fowler at the 2010 election. Werriwa will be contested by Laurie Ferguson, who has represented Reid since 1990, but has shifted seat following the abolition of Lowe.

Profile

Sydney's outer south-west suburbs covering the northern parts of Campbelltown, including Claymore, Eagle Vale, Leumeah, Minto, Macquarie Fields and Casula, as well as suburbs to the west and south of Liverpool, including Lurnea, Prestons and West Hoxton. Covers 160 sq.km.

Redistribution

Minor boundary changes with neighbouring Fowler and Macarthur, resulting in a slight dip in the Labor margin from 15.2% to 15.0%.

History/Trivia

Existing since Federation, Werriwa is the aboriginal name for Lake George near Canberra, which was in the electorate at the time of Federation. Former members include senior Labor figures Gough Whitlam (1952-78), John Kerin (1978-93) and Mark Latham (1994-2005).

Assessment

Labor retain.

2010 BALLOT PAPER (3 Candidates)

Candidate Name

Party

MOORE, Lauren

The Greens

ESKAROS, Sam

Liberal

FERGUSON, Laurie

Labor

CANDIDATES

Sam Eskaros

Liberal Party

Eskaros was born in Egypt, is a father of five who lives in the local area and works in the real estate industry.

58 year-old Ferguson is the son of former NSW Deputy Premier Jack Ferguson, and the older brother of former ACTU President and current Gillard government Minister Martin Ferguson. A former union research officer, Ferguson served in the NSW Parliament 1984-90 before moving to Federal Parliament in 1990. He is an important factional figure in the NSW Left and also plays an important connecting role between the Labor Party and many ethnic communities. He has been Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services since the Rudd government came to office. Ferguson is contesting Werriwa because his former seat of Reid has absorbed much of the abolished seat of Lowe, MP for that seat John Murphy now contesting Reid.